Apparatus for removing residues



Aug. 3, 1937. H. SCHOLLER ET AL 2,088,977

' APPARATUS FOR" REMOVING RESIDUES Filed June 15, 1953 2 sheets-sheet 1 Aug. 3, 1937. H. SCHOLLER ET AL V APPARATUS FOR REMOVING RESIDUES Filed June l5, 1933 2 Sheets-Shet 2 Patented Aug. 3, 1937 UNITED STATES PA-TENT OFFICE 2.088.911 I APPARATUS ron REMOVING nasmnas Heinrich Scholler and Rudolf Eickemeyer, Solln, near Munich, Germany Application June 15, 1933, Serial No. 675,876

In Germany July 25, 1932 11 Claims. (on. 127-1) This invention relates to the quick or easy removal of materials normally dimcult to remove .10 place is at times eflected only with great difliculty.

-It the process of saccharification of cellulose, such as disclosed in United St tes Patent No. 1,890,304,'there results a hard {ake of lignin or lignin-like material, hereafter or brevity and convenience called lignin, and which is more or less conjoined and which becomes. particularly hard when the liquid flows through the container, 1. e., percolator, from top to bottom. It is absolutely impossible to force out or clear out this cake of lignin. Heretofore in the industrial sacchariflcation of cellulose, it was necessary either to reduce the cake into small pieces by the aid of strong drills or to remove it by manual labor. This work wastedious and usually re quired a period of. severalhours, such as 5 ,or p

more hours.

We have found that we can shorten the process of removing the lignin from the percolator to a relatively short period of time. such as a few gqminutes, by suddenly opening the percolator, which is maintained under pressure and at an elevated temperature, at suitable, places, thereby suddenly releasing the pressure therein. As a consequence, the cake is disrupted and broken into small pieces. The steam may be utilized in some instances to remove the broken lignin mass. Wherever this is not possible, the broken mass may be quickly and readily removed in any-suitable manner. When the pressure in the perco- 0 later is released in such a manner that the steam is suddenly released simultaneously above and below the lignin cake the'latter is broken into small pieces bythe sudden evaporation of "the water content thereof.

It is, therefore, anobject of this invention to provide an easy and quick method of removing residue in the form of a hard cake, and which remains in the apparatus in which the reaction has I 50 been carried out, by suddenly releasing the pressure within said apparatus. v

I v 1 Another object of .this invention is to provide an apparatus for carrying out the aforementioned process.

55 Other objects will appear from the following-description, appended drawings wherein: I

Figure 1 illustrates a longitudinal section through a percolator equipped with vmeans wherein the pressure within said percolator may be quickly and suddenly reduced.

Figure 2 is a modified form of apparatus illustrating an embodiment wherein the steam serves..-;to eject and convey the broken lignin cake. Figure 3 is a section through the lower part claims and accompanying of the percolator, provided with a closing applianc e.

Figure 4 is another form of moving device of the closing appliance.

The invention will be explained with reference to the removal of ,the lignin in the sacchariflcation of cellulose It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the removal of lignin alone but can be applied with equal success to the removal of other hard residues or residues diillcult to removeIsuch as remain behind'in containers in which the chemicalreaction is carried out. v

Reterring now tothe drawings wherein like reference numerals designate like parts, and particularly Figure 1, wherein one embodiment of an apparatus for carrying out the instant invention is shown, the reference numeral I designates a percolator used in the sacchariflcation of cellulose which is provided with a pipe at the top thereof (not shown), whereby the dilute acid proximately 2 to 3 tons and; at thetemperature I isformed leading to a valve, preferably a slide valve l, which in the present embodiment is utilized for suddenly releasing the pressure within the percolator. -Upon the sudden opening of the valve 4, the pressurewithin the percolator is loweredand this at first inthe immediate proxlease of pressure, the water evaporates partly in an explosive manner and breaks the lignin cake imity of the valve, so that according to the reinto small pieces. This, upon mixture with the steam developed, passes out through the valve. The opening of the valve has a diameter of 150 mm. and is smaller than one-fifth of the cross- 5 section of .the percolator usually termed percolator pipe. v

The steam developed by the sudden release of pressure, in addition to breaking the residue into small pieces, maybe used to remove the broken mass from the percolator. In Figure 1 the steam aids in forcing thebroken mass from the percolator and conducts it through an exhaust pipe 5, preferably conical in shape, as shown, and having one end cooperatively connected with the valve. The flared end in this embodiment projects into a chamber U which is-provided with an opening I through which the steam is per- "mitted to escape. It is, of course, understood v that the steam passing from the chamber 6 may be conveyed to any suitable place where it may be utilized to further advantage. The broken particles of lignin drop to the bottom of the chamber i and,from there they are removed. The bottom or the chamber 6 may be provided with any suitable, means for permitting the-withdrawal of the broken mass. In the specific form shown, the bottom of the chamber 6 is formed to constitute a plurality of troughs or hoppers, the exit of the mass therefrom being controlled by a suitable mechanism, suchas screw conveyers 8.

When the broken lignin is desired to be conveyed from the percclator directly to some other place where the lignin may be utilized for some I I purpose or other, one end of a conduit, such as 36 an inclinedpipe 9, may be connected to the valve 4, the other end thereof being connected to the desired place where the broken mass is to be delivered. In Figure2 the reference numeral Ill designates a chamber, such as a boiler house, where the lignin can be used for fuel after the separation from the steam. In this embodiment, the steam developed by the release of pressure within the percolator l conveys and transports the brokenlignin mass through the pipe 9 to the I chamber ll.

The percolator is preferably provided with a filter pipe II which isslightly opened during the explosion, so that some steam or liquid may pass through the filter 2. By this means the filter 2 is closely pressed against the surrounding wall and its separation, in consequence of the explosion, is avoided.

Refen'ingnow to Figure 3 wherein another embodiment of an apparatus for carrying out the invention is disclosed, the reference numeral I designates the lower end of a percolator i of the same general type above described and whichis provided with a flange l2 and an intermediate flange it on which there is disposed a bearing ll with a tie rod ii and opposite adjustable bearing'bolts ii. A cover plate I'I designed and constructed, for example, as shown, so that it will tightly close the opening in the bottom of the percolator, is secured in any suitable manner to a lever l8, one end of which is securely fixed to a shaft I! mounted in the bearing M. A counterweight 20 is carried on one end'of a supporting rod, the other end of which is fixed to the shaft i2, for reasons which will b ome apparent. The bearing bolts I are provi ed, as shown, with a shaft 2| on which an eccentric 22 having a cam' surface 23 is fixed. The shaft- 2| may be rotated in. any suitable manner, such as by a worm gearwith a hand wheel cr other suitable mechanism, not shown in the drawings. On the the reference numeral 30, on an appropriate fixed support II. A protecting box 32 possessing a curvature for the reception of the cover in an open state is also provided. This box is provided with a closable man-hole, not shown in the "drawings, and also with an exhaust pipe 24 for the removal of the residue. It is to be noted that thecounterweight 20 is disposed on the outside of the box 82.

, This device is operated 'asfollows-upon rotation of the shaft 2| by any suitable mechanism in a counter-clockwise direction,the eccentric 22 cooperating with theroller 24 causes the cover plate II to press against the opening of the percolator, whereby the cover plate I1 is closed against the over-pressure inside the percolator. When the shaft 2| is rotated in the opposite direction, the new position of the eccentric does not hold the roller 2! in place. As a consequence and because of the over-pressure existing within the percolator, at the desired moment the cover plate I1. is suddenly opened. The counterweight and the air brake mechanism take up the recoil of the cover plate when the pressure within the container forces it outwardly. It is to be noted that the braking mechanisms 20, 28 and 21 also serve to maintain the cover plate in locked position.

The advantage of the foregoing method of closing lies in the fact that first it permits the guarantees the sudden release of pressure with- 4 out exposing the device itself or any auxiliary arrangements to damage.

Referring now to Figure 4, wherein a modified form of opening and closing the percolator is illustrated, it will be noted that the cover plate a i1 is secured to an eccentric 38 which is rotatably mounted on the shaft It. The eccentric 28 is provided with a cam surface 42 and a braking surface 43 which cooperate with a roller ll carried on the lever ll, thelatter being carried 5 on a shaft ll rotatably mounted on a bearing 38 which is suitably anchored, such as by means of boltfi 36 and 31. i

As in the previous modification, there is'providwith a curvature for the reception of the cove: plate when in open position. It is to be noted that the box 22 is rigidly secured at 48 to the bearing 39. A stopping device, such as a latch,

Ieda protecting box 32. Thisbox is fitted at u 6 may be provided to maintain the cover plate in 1 open position.

The device just described operates as followsupon rotation 'of the lever ll in a clockwise direction with the aid of any suitable driving mechanism for the shaft 44. for example, a self-lock- 1 ing worm gear (not shownin the drawings), the cover plate I1 is pressed rigidly against the opening of the percolator and is held firmly closed against the over-pressure' in the interior of the I container. Upon rota ion of the shaft 44 in a 1 counter-clockwise direction, the roller ll travels irom the cam surface 42 onto the surface 43. As a consequence, the force which holds the cover plate in closed position is removed and the pressure within the percolator forces the said cover plate from its closed position. The roller ll, riding on the surface 43, causes a braking eflect. It is to be understood that the eccentric 38 is so designed and arranged that, upon opening oi.

the cover plate, the space beneath the outlet is free from obstructions.

It is to be understood that this modification is not restricted to the precise details described, since it is possible to secure the same result with the aid of a strong spring which tends to turn the shaft 44 ina clockwise direction. The braking eiiect may also be produced on the shaft is in .any suitable manner. This braking efiect may be produced by friction or air-brake, or the like,

or a combination thereof, as, for example, that described in the previous modification.

The outlet in the bottom of the percolator i is less than one-eflfth of the cross-section of the percolator pipe, though it may be made of any othersize, as desired.

Inaddition to the advantages described abov the instant invention, also serves to reduce the quantity of moisture in the cake by about oneseventh of its moisture content. This is very 3 desirable when the lignin is to be dried prior to use.

I Since it is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made in the above description without departing from the nature or spirit thereof, this invention is not restricted thereto except as set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1'. An apparatus comprising a container in which a solid residue is formed, a filterin the 40 lower portion of said container, means to maintain the interior oi. said container under a high pressure and at an elevated temperature, means to suddenly reduce the pre'smire within the container whereby the residue is broken into pieces, permitting easy removal, and means cooperating with said filter to nhibit separation of said filter from said container at least during the sudden reduction of pressure ,within the container.

2. An vapparatus comprising a container in which a solid residue is formed, a filter in the lower portion oi said container, means to maintain the interior of said container under a high D essure'and atan elevated temperature, a steam exhaust valve adjacent the bottom of said container to suddenly reduce the pressure within the container whereby the nesidue is broken into pieces, permitting easy removal. and means cooperating with said filter to inhibit separation 01' said filter from said container at least during the sudden reduction or pressure within the container.

3. An apparatus comprising a container in which a solid residue is formed, a filter in the lower portion oi said container, means to maintain the interior of said container under a high tainer to suddenly reduce the pressure within the container whereby the residue is broken into hibit separation of said filter Yrom said container .at least during the sudden reduction of pressure within the container, and means"- nneeted to said valve to direct the broken m I in its passage from the container.

pressure and at an elevated temperature, a steam exhaust valve adjacent the bottom of said conpieces, means cooperating with said filter to inv 4. An apparatus for the saccharification oi cellulose comprising a container in which a solid residue is formed and having an outlet in the bottom thereof, said container being provided with means to maintain. the interior of said container under a high pressure and at an elevated temperature, a filter in thelower portion of said container, a hinged cover plate adapted to tightly close said outlet, and means to lock said cover plate in closed position, said cover plate being adapted to be suddenly opened upon the release bottom thereof, said container being provided i with means to maintain the interior oi! said container under a "high pressure and at an elevated temperature, a hinged cover plate adapted to tightly close said outlet, and eccentric means to lock said cover plate in position, said cover plate being adapted to be suddenly opened by the pressure within the container upon the release of the locking means whereby the pressure within the container is suddenly reduced and the residue broken into pieces, and means cooperating with said filter to inhibit separation of said filter from said container at least during the sudden reduction of pressure within the container. Y

6. An apparatus for the saccharification of cellulose comprising a container in which a solid residue is formed and having an outlet in the bottom thereof, said container being provided with means to maintain the interior of said container under a high pressure and at an elevated temperature, a hinged cover plate adapted .to tightly close said outlet, means to lock said cover plate in closed position, said cover plate being adapted to be suddenly opened upon the release of the locking means, whereby the pressure within the container is suddenly reduced and the residue broken into pieces, and means to brake the rapidity of movement of said cover;

plate after the opening thereof.

"I, An apparatus for the saccharification ofccilulose comprising a container in which a solid ,residue is ior'med and having an outlet in the bottom thereof, said container being provided with means to maintain the interior of said container under a high pressure and at an elevated temperature, a hinged cover plate adapted to tightly close said outlet, eccentric means to lock said cover plate in position, said cover plate being no with means to maintain the interior otsaid con-' tainer under a high pressure and at an elevated temperature-a cover plate to close said Outlet, a 1 hingedly mounted lever cooperating with said 76 cover plate, an eccentric mechanism cooperating withsaid lever, and braking means cooperating with said lever.

9. An apparatus for the saccharification otcellulose comprising a container in which a solid residue is iormed and having an outlet in the bottom thereof, said container, being provided with means to maintain the interior oi said container under a high pressure and at an elevated temperature, a cover plate to close said outlet, a pivotally mounted eccentric mechaam having a cam surface and a braking surj iace cooperating with said cover plate, and means cooperating with said eccentric to close and release thepover plate.

i 10. An apparatus comprising a container in which a solid-residue is formed, a filter in the lower portion of said container, means to maintain the interior oi said container under a high pressure and at an elevated temperature, means to suddenly reduce the pressure within the container whereby the residue is broken into pieces,

permitting easy removal, means cooperating with said filter to inhibit separation of said filter from said container atleast during the sudden reduction of pressure'within the container, means to guide the broken mass irom said chamber, and means to separate the steam from the broken mass.

11. An apparatus comprising a container in which a solid residue is formed, a filter in the lower portion of said container, means to maintain the interior of said container under a high pressure and at an elevated temperature, a steam exhaust valve adjacent the bottom of said container to suddenly reduce the pressure within the container whereby the residue is broken into pieces, permitting easy removal, means cooperating with said filter to inhibit separation of said filter from said container at least during the sudden reduction of pressure within the container, means to guide the broken mass from said chamber, and means to separate the steam from 20 the broken mass.

HEINRICH BCHOLLER. RUDD EICKEMEYER. 

